Ortaköy Mosque also known as Grand Imperial Mosque (Büyük Mecidiye Camii in Turkish) is located right on the edge of the Bosphorus. This Neo-Baroque style mosque was built in 1853 for Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecit. Its architect, Nigogos Balyan, was also the architect of the Dolmabahçe Palace.
Ortaköy Mosque consists of two main parts: the Harim part endowed with beautiful pink mosaics and the Hünkar part which is located on the west side. In addition, examples of Islamic calligraphy made by Sultan Abdülmecid, who was also a hattat (calligrapher), are shown in this mosque. Thanks to the high windows of the structure, the lights of the Bosphorus reflect in the mosque.
This mosque has one more significance: with the pillar of the Bosphorus Bridge behind it, it seems as a symbol of Istanbul's identity, the mixture of the East and the West.
This beautiful building, which has been standing since the 19th century, represents one of the best examples of the Neo-Baroque style in Istanbul.
The mosque is open to visitors daily outside of prayer times. There is no entrance fee, but donations are welcome. Women should bring a scarf to cover their heads, and all visitors should remove their shoes before entering. Modest dress, shoulders and knees covered, is required.
The mosque looks best in the late afternoon when the setting sun lights up its facade or at night. The area around the mosque is lively with cafes, street food vendors, and shops. Evenings are especially pleasant as the Bosphorus Bridge lights up.
Ortaköy Mosque is situated in the seaside district of Ortaköy.
Due to its central location on the Bosphorus, many buses pass through Ortaköy. From Taksim, it takes about 15 minutes by bus. From Sultanahmet, you should first take the tram to Kabataş and then either walk about 30 minutes along the coast or take a bus. Look for buses heading toward the Bosphorus with "Ortaköy" on their sign panel.